Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 78631 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78631 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
“What projects will I be working on, then?” I ask.
He clasps his hands together. “I think perhaps we could use you on this project, Diana, if you’re still interested.”
Good question. Am I still interested? Do I want my name attached to a project that has a flaw that I know about?
“Actually,” I say, “I think I might like to try something different. The first project you showed me yesterday—the mixed-use development project. I love the idea of vertical farming, and I believe my experience growing up on a ranch would lend itself well to the effort.”
“That’s an interesting take, Diana,” he says, his eyebrows raising. “I must admit, I didn’t foresee that. But your background might indeed bring a fresh perspective to the project.”
“Yes, I believe I can contribute significantly.”
Rod nods and pauses a moment. “I’ll see about getting you assigned to that project,” he says finally. “In the meantime, continue orienting yourself with our other projects as well.”
“I will.” I rise. “Thank you for considering my request, Rod.”
“Of course, Diana.” He offers me a smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “You’re part of the team now. We value your input.”
I return his smile politely before exiting his office. The moment I’m out of his sight, however, my mask of professionalism slips off. Disappointment and frustration well inside me.
Rod’s dismissal of my concerns about the mountaintop project sits heavy in my gut, even though I expected it after talking to Marcus. Perhaps shortcuts are the norm here. Do I have to accept it without question? I’m the newbie, so for now, I suppose I do. I’ll try to keep my eyes open and learn more. Maybe I’ll find a way to sway Rod’s opinion or take my concerns to someone with a more receptive ear. Though according to Marcus, they all already know.
As much as I love the mountaintop project, I’m better off focusing on the vertical farming project.
On my way back to my desk, I stop by the restroom again. This time, I’m silently grateful for the absence of any voices emerging from the stalls. I check myself in the mirror and adjust my ponytail. I promise myself this will be a good day regardless of Rod’s response.
Back at my desk, I pull up the mixed development files on my computer. It’s an exciting project, and I believe I can offer some insight on it.
But instead of excited, I feel sick inside.
Because I know what I have to do.
And it’s not going to be easy or pretty.
Chapter Three
Dragon
I retrieve my cell phone from the pocket of my jeans and stare at the number scrawled on the paper. The blue ink is smudged slightly from where I gripped it too tightly. I enter the number, hit the call button, and hold the phone to my ear. Each ring seems to slap at me—a reminder of my sister’s abandoned room, her missing smile, that last Christmas morning we spent together.
The ringing stops.
Then a pause.
Finally—
“Who’s this?”
Do I say who I am? The package was addressed to me. Well, not addressed so much as it just had my name affixed to it.
“I’m the person who you gave this number to.”
Tense silence.
Then a voice.
“Ah, Griffin’s brother.”
Her name in his voice sounds like a curse. Though I expected something like this, shivers slide down my spine, and I tighten my grip on the phone, my knuckles turning white.
“What do you want?” I rasp out.
Another pause. “To talk.”
My heart thunders. “About what?”
He chuckles coldly. “About Griffin, of course.”
The room seems to tilt. I know it’s in my mind, but still I grab the edge of Diana’s counter to steady myself. “Where is she?”
“Are you going to stop investigating?”
I clear my throat. “Already done.”
Not true, but Alayna assured me she would be more discreet. Or maybe she already was discreet. Maybe whoever this is just assumed I was investigating. After all…whoever it is knows where I live, which means they know the penthouse is owned by Diana Steel.
Maybe they think I’ve got access to Steel cash, so they assumed I’d hired someone.
Oh, God… If they think I have access to Steel money, they’re going to want me to pay for information.
“Good,” the voice says. “Keep it that way.”
“And then what?” I ask, my grip on the phone so tight that my fingers begin to ache. “You tell me where Griffin is? That she’s safe?”
A low laugh, chilling me to the bone, echoes through the line. “Safe is relative.”
That’s the final push. The last straw. My blood comes to a boil.
“What does that mean?” I shout.
“Calm down,” the voice says.
Is there a familiarity to the voice? Is it the same voice that called me from the other numbers? Something nudges at the back of my mind, but I can’t place it. I force myself to take a deep breath before speaking again. “Tell me where she is.”